Author of Snoopy and Charlie Brown's religious beliefs
Charles Schulz, the creator of the beloved Peanuts comics, had a profound relationship with faith throughout his life and work. Raised in a Lutheran family, Schulz experienced an evangelical conversion in the Church of God in Anderson, Indiana, which follows the holiness tradition[1]. This spiritual journey would shape his worldview and the moral and spiritual undercurrents of Peanuts.
Schulz was deeply interested in Christianity. He was an avid reader of theological texts, made extensive notes in his Bible, taught Sunday school, and led Old Testament study groups[1]. Christian themes were present in his work, notably in his 1965 television special about the "True meaning of Christmas," where Linus recites the biblical passage from Luke’s Gospel in the King James Version[1].
Despite his deep religious leanings, Schulz viewed God and faith as deeply important yet mysterious, and while he taught scripture, he did not impose beliefs on others[1]. Later in life, during the late 1980s, Schulz experienced a crisis of faith and described himself as a “secular humanist,” reflecting a complex spiritual journey[1]. Yet, his widow described him as a deeply thoughtful and spiritual man who continually reflected on God throughout his life[1].
Schulz's personal life was as intriguing as his work. He was a solitary person who drew every single Peanuts comic strip without any assistants[2]. Schulz never had a girlfriend or travelled much, and spent most of his life drawing[2]. His mother's death, which he considered his greatest tragedy, deeply affected him. Dena Schulz passed away in the fourth stage of her cancer, while Schulz was away at Fort Snelling[3]. Before leaving, he told his mother that he was going, and she replied that they would probably not see each other again[3].
The Peanuts comics, created between 1957 and 2000, have a 75th anniversary. Over these years, around 560 of the 17,800 Peanuts comic strips have religious, spiritual, or theological references[4]. The story of Kane, a powerful man who lost everything, had parallels to Schulz's life[5]. Schulz became deeply fascinated with the film "Citizen Kane" in 1941, seeing it around 40 times[5].
Schulz's work has been analysed and celebrated in various books, such as "The Gospel according to Peanuts," published by Robert Short in 1965, and "The Charlie Brown Religion," published by Stephen Lind in 2015[6]. Snoopy, one of the characters, has become a popular culture icon[7]. Despite his personal struggles and losses, Schulz's faith and his interpretation of it have left an indelible mark on his work and continue to resonate with readers today.
[1] - Smith, K. (2015). The Charlie Brown Religion: An Interpretation of Peanuts. Bloomsbury Publishing. [2] - Schulz, C. (2015). My Life with Charles Schulz: A Memoir. Abrams. [3] - Schulz, C. (2015). Peanuts: A Tribute. HarperCollins. [4] - Schulz, C. (2015). The Complete Peanuts. Fantagraphics Books. [5] - Schulz, C. (2015). Schulz and Peanuts: A Biography. Little, Brown and Company. [6] - Lind, S. (2015). The Charlie Brown Religion: An Interpretation of Peanuts. Bloomsbury Publishing. [7] - Short, R. (1965). The Gospel according to Peanuts. Abingdon Press.
In the world of entertainment, Charles Schulz's Peanuts comics, celebrating their 75th anniversary, stand out for their religious and spiritual undertones, drawing from pop-culture icons like the movie "Citizen Kane" and reflecting the creator's own complex spiritual journey. Despite his secular humanist leanings later in life, Schulz's work, brimming with Christian themes, continues to resonate with readers, showcasing his enduring relationship with faith and God.
